Sutton Council have made a partial U-turn on a controversial policy to ban street trading in Sutton town centre.

A street trading policy brought in by Sutton Council at the end of last year prohibits people placing goods outside their shops.

The policy was intended to make pavements less cluttered to improve disabled access and help people with pushchairs.

But it proved unpopular with some traders who argued it would damage their trade.

Among those to be told they could not put produce outside included florists.

Now Sutton Council has agreed to reduce the size of the area where street trading was banned.

It has been reduced at the southern end of Sutton High Street, stopping at the train station and excluding Mulgrave Road.

A similar reduction has been made at the northern end stopping at the High Street junction with Vale Road.

Only Flowerscents florists outside Sutton station has been given special dispensation within the boundaries of the no-street-trading area, because it trades on Network Rail land.

Councillor Janet Lowne, vice chairman of Sutton Council's licensing committee, said: "It’s really important that we strike a balance between keeping our streets safe and clear for disabled people
and those with pushchairs and helping local businesses to attract trade.

Share article

"We’ve been speaking to shop keepers in the town centre, and their feedback has led us to review the area defined as Sutton town centre, where outside trading can clutter up busy streets.

"We don’t have a blanket policy regarding street trading, and every application outside the town centre is considered on its merits."

Related links

Promoted Stories

Comments (8)

Sutton Council might win some support if they banned those awful 'chuggers' that accost people for monthly donations whilst they're earning their 10 quid per hour?

Sutton Council might win some support if they banned those awful 'chuggers' that accost people for monthly donations whilst they're earning their 10 quid per hour?Crease2000

Sutton Council might win some support if they banned those awful 'chuggers' that accost people for monthly donations whilst they're earning their 10 quid per hour?

Score: 0

GR-London says...3:16pm Tue 19 Jun 12

Does this mean that the council are going to use some common sense regarding Pricebusters in Wallington? From the pictures it looks like there is enough room to land an aircraft outside.

Does this mean that the council are going to use some common sense regarding Pricebusters in Wallington?
From the pictures it looks like there is enough room to land an aircraft outside.GR-London

Does this mean that the council are going to use some common sense regarding Pricebusters in Wallington? From the pictures it looks like there is enough room to land an aircraft outside.

Score: 0

Brianfromsutton says...4:56pm Tue 19 Jun 12

So the Council prohibits shops putting goods outside their premises because..... "The policy was intended to make pavements less cluttered to improve disabled access and help people with pushchairs"...... But pubs and cafes can put tables and chairs outside their premises well into the pavement areas.... do the wheelchairs and pushchairs not have to negotiate their way around these? Do the rules only apply to the premises the Council want to target? ..... maybe the bars and cafes pay higher business rates!!

So the Council prohibits shops putting goods outside their premises because..... "The policy was intended to make pavements less cluttered to improve disabled access and help people with pushchairs"......
But pubs and cafes can put tables and chairs outside their premises well into the pavement areas.... do the wheelchairs and pushchairs not have to negotiate their way around these?
Do the rules only apply to the premises the Council want to target? ..... maybe the bars and cafes pay higher business rates!!Brianfromsutton

So the Council prohibits shops putting goods outside their premises because..... "The policy was intended to make pavements less cluttered to improve disabled access and help people with pushchairs"...... But pubs and cafes can put tables and chairs outside their premises well into the pavement areas.... do the wheelchairs and pushchairs not have to negotiate their way around these? Do the rules only apply to the premises the Council want to target? ..... maybe the bars and cafes pay higher business rates!!

Score: 0

Michael Pantlin says...2:13am Wed 20 Jun 12

"A partial U-turn". Would that be an L-turn or a J-turn?

"A partial U-turn". Would that be an L-turn or a J-turn?Michael Pantlin

"A partial U-turn". Would that be an L-turn or a J-turn?

Score: 0

john72 says...1:54pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I agree with Crease2000, nearly every day some new representative of a charity tries to entice me to sign up by DD to their given cause. On a number of occasions I've had my path blocked and been as near as possible been verbally abused for 'not talking' to one of them. The charities they represent are very valid but why are so many allowed onto Sutton High street. There needs to be a limit , 1 charity per week! I already give to one charity and cannot afford to sign up with every single one !!!

I agree with Crease2000, nearly every day some new representative of a charity tries to entice me to sign up by DD to their given cause. On a number of occasions I've had my path blocked and been as near as possible been verbally abused for 'not talking' to one of them. The charities they represent are very valid but why are so many allowed onto Sutton High street. There needs to be a limit , 1 charity per week! I already give to one charity and cannot afford to sign up with every single one !!!john72

I agree with Crease2000, nearly every day some new representative of a charity tries to entice me to sign up by DD to their given cause. On a number of occasions I've had my path blocked and been as near as possible been verbally abused for 'not talking' to one of them. The charities they represent are very valid but why are so many allowed onto Sutton High street. There needs to be a limit , 1 charity per week! I already give to one charity and cannot afford to sign up with every single one !!!

Score: 0

Tubby Jim says...3:05pm Thu 21 Jun 12

definitely need to have something done about these ruddy chuggers, they are starting to go beyond reasonable now.

definitely need to have something done about these ruddy chuggers, they are starting to go beyond reasonable now.Tubby Jim

definitely need to have something done about these ruddy chuggers, they are starting to go beyond reasonable now.

Score: 0

ResidentTony says...9:07pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Agree completely on chuggers; also let's put a stop to cyclists who cycle on the pavement. What a nightmare they both are !! As to traders, I do have to say that I am not keen on cheap and nasty trinkets spread out on the street for sale. However, I DO like pavement cafes (sorry).

Agree completely on chuggers; also let's put a stop to cyclists who cycle on the pavement. What a nightmare they both are !! As to traders, I do have to say that I am not keen on cheap and nasty trinkets spread out on the street for sale. However, I DO like pavement cafes (sorry).ResidentTony

Agree completely on chuggers; also let's put a stop to cyclists who cycle on the pavement. What a nightmare they both are !! As to traders, I do have to say that I am not keen on cheap and nasty trinkets spread out on the street for sale. However, I DO like pavement cafes (sorry).

Score: 0

Tubby Jim says...12:47pm Fri 22 Jun 12

perhaps a removal of the stinking Hot Dog stand would be a start

perhaps a removal of the stinking Hot Dog stand would be a startTubby Jim

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standardards Organisations's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a compaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here